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The Heart of Hope 




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The Heart of Hope 







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I LIBRARY ot CONGRESS 
Tww Copies Received 

MAR 15 ia09 

CLASS O^ J^J^c. No, 
COPY &. 



.8 



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Copyrighted 

by 

JASPER T. DARLING 

1909. ^U'^" 




CCL JASPER T. DARLING 



To The Public 



The Centenary nt Hit l)irlli •.!' 
ABRAHAM I.INOOI.N marks a mile- 
stone in the history of civilization, an«l 
its universal celebration was like a 
Jubilee of Liberty. Probably never 
before was the character and career 
of any man so profoundly studied by 
so many people at one time, and this 
is not strans:*^; because the record of 
his life from lowly cabin to the pii>- 
nacle of power and the martyr's hah' 
reads more like romance than reality 
and foc^ a sublime opic in tin- powi-rs 
.'ind possibilities of 1 )cinocrac\-. 

Among the many masterly lectui-es 
and elotfuent tributes which this great 
occasion inspired was one by Col Jaspi-i- 
T. DarlinpT. delivered at the Armour 
Institute, the First United Presbyterian 
Church of Chicago, The Chicago .Soiiil. 
Side Club, and before various Grand 
Army Posts and other Commemorati v.- 
gatherings. Its wealth of liiographical 
data, keen anil sympathetic analy.sis, 
and royal rlu'toric make it a valuabh' 
contribution lo ihe I..incolniana of tli..- 
period and to patriotic literature. The 
i-equests for its delivery were so num- 
i-rous and the demands that it be pub- 
lished were so urgent that we havi- 
caused it to be printed, with the hope 
that it may in some measure cnliance 
(he love of thi> gi-eat Kmancipator and 
.sw<ll thi- tiil.s of i>atriiitisin. 

gi'iN ()'iiiui-;x. 

JOSEPH nOSKNU.M.M 
THOM.VS II. (lAll/r. 
KOIUOKT M.\NN WOl >!•,<;. 
J NO. h\ SCANI.AN. 

Commitlfi-. 

Chicago. Feb. ISlh, 1900. 

I 



The Heart of Hope 

standing- within tliis vast Temple oC 
Liberty, and surveying- the great char- 
acters that have made it enduring and 
sublime, -vve see one Avho rises high 
above all the rest — one -who, in meek- 
ness and humility, came upon the field 
of strenuous toil, fulfilled a mission 
almost beyond the measure of human 
pow.-r, and then departed, leaving- a 
name loved and revered as none other 
since Freedom's History beg-an. 

To-day every believer in the law of 
truth, and every lover of right and of 
righteousness throughout this broad 
land, bows in prayerful meditation, giv- 
ing thanks unto God that he raised 
up Abraham Lincoln, and clothed him 
in raiments of power, that he might 
stand at the helm of our SHIP OF ' 
STATE while the tempests were beat- 
ing- and threatening to engulf, and 
that he was spared until the storms 
were stilled— until the righting- ship 
rode the resting waves, no longer men- 
aced by the destrojdng hand of hostile 
hosts. 

And patriotism does well to lift its 
voice in commemorating the humble 
life, the unselfish deeds, and the stead- 
fast devotion of the one man of his 
generation, the grandeur of whose 
might and the majesty of whose wis- 
dom enabled him to rise above tlie 
tides of discord, of passions and par- 
tisan strife, to bring order out of 
chaos, and to exercise that far-seei))g 
judgment which came as from a super- 
human mind. 



Tliat Abraham Lincoln \\a.s born to 
a Destiny none will doubt or contra- 
dict, and none will disclaim tliat he 
fulfilled his mission with such rare 
genius and such remarkable state- 
craft — such tenderness and love for 
even the lowliest of his people, that 
he became the most conspicuous figure 
of the mighty age in which he lived; 
and the recollection of his deeds will 
remain fragrant and eternal, ever shin- 
ing like o lifted constellation amid the 
lieaven of men's memory as long as 
the sunlight of Liberty emblazons the 
banner of human progress. 

A hundred years have passed since 
the birth of this lowly Son of the 
AA'cstern World, and to-day the mul- 
tiplied millions of the greatest and 
I lie grandest Government on earth are 
meditating upon the grandeur of his 
life, and rejoicing that God's Provi- 
dence prepared him to lead the Nation 
through tlio dark j-ears of its deadly 
peril, and that he was spared to heai* 
the first glad acclaim of tlu' coming 
jubilee. 

Every hamlet joins in the iliank.^giv- 
ing, and every pulpit is giving forth 
its praise. The doors of colleges and 
schools are thrown open, that student- 
minds may lie enriched witii lessons 
upon his marvelous careei'. 

Inspiring clioi-usos and memorial 
music mingle their choral antiiems 
:imid the teaching of the »lay wliirh 
marks the Centenar>- of Abraham 
I.ihi'oln's birth. 

Tiie broad field wliich should bo 
covered in a discourse like this is t|Uite 
in coMlllct with tlie brevity which the 
oc<'aslun demands; lliorefoi-e, in onler 

tn lr.:it the i|Ui'sticin of lime with the 



r, 



greatest frugality, we will divide the-- 
story of his life into three parts. 

We will first briefly refer to his 
ancestry, and then we will indulge in 
a more comprehensive retrospect Of 
tliat period, when, all unconsciousb". 
lu' was preparing for the most stupen- 
dous struggle and the most trying- 
task that fell to the lot of any man 
during- the Nineteenth Century. 

Some historians claim that his an- 
cestry can be traced back to a his- 
toric family in England, from which- 
Samuel Lincoln came to America im 
1637, and settled in Salem, and theu' 
n-iovcd to Hingham. Mass. 

From this family. Massachusetts was= 
honored by two of her early Governors- 
— both nai-ned Levi Lincoln. 

A grandson of Samuel migrated to- 
Pennsylvania, and from thence other- 
descendants moved to Virginia, and 
still others to Harden County, Ken- 
tucky where Abraham was born Febru- 
ary 12. 1S09. 

Mr. I.,incoln. himself, traced his line- 
age back to Pennsylvania, and there 
stopped by saying: "they were- 
Qiiaker." 

Of himself he said: "My early life- 
is characterized in a single line of 
Gray's Kleg-y — "the short and simple 
annals of the poor." 

Thomas Lincoln, Abraham's fatlier. 
was decidedly poor and illiterate, but 
his mother. Avhose maiden name was- 
Nancy Hanks, jjossessed a fair educa-- 
tion and much refinement. 

She loved books and preferred study 
by herself, rather than to indulge in 
the ordinary pastimes and pleasures ot 
her mates. She was deeply religious. 
and possessed a sweet and amiable- 
disposition — traits so richly exempli- 



li.'d in the life and character of lier 
illustrious Son. 

When Abraham was in his eighth 
year they migrated to Spencer County, 
Indiana, where he grew up, his time 
being almost constantly occupied in 
hard work. Of this period in his life 
he said: "Of course when I came of 
age I did not know much; still, some- 
how, I could read, write, and cipher 
to the "Rule of Three," but that was 
all." 

Two years after their arrival in 
Indiana Abraham's mother died. His 
grief was intense, and he ever held her 
momory in sweet and sacred embrace. 
She had already impressed his young 
mind with the value of learning, and 
ho was quick to respond to her wislies. 
Throughout his life ho always spoke 
of her as liis "saintly mother." 

By diligent application, alone and 
vmaidod by teachers, he was laying the 
foundation for the great life, yet lui- 
soon, and undreamed of. ahead. 

His entire attendance at schools did 
not embrace the lengtli of time o<iual 
to a single year. 

History says: "He would gather 
5pico-wood brushes, hack them up on 
a log, and burn them two or throe 
together for tlie purpose of giving light 
by which ho might pursue his studios." 

Paper was an impu.s.sibility, anil so 
his figuring ho often did ui)on the back 
'"•f a woodon shovi'l. then scraped or 
shaved off the surface ready to cover 
it again with his examples; and so 
he progressed, and conquered arithnu-- 
tio to "The Kulo of Throo." 

What condition can we Imagiiio (h.nl 
would offer greater disoouragi-ments 
rhan those? 

I.oi tlie bi-iglitost bo>- of to-day - 



one who has the doors of the grade 
schools, the high school, and, perhaps.. 
the college, thrown open to him — let 
him consider what his chances woul^2 
be to reach name and fame, were he 
subjected to such difficulties in secur- 
ing an education. 

Is there one lad in a million, yes! in 
ten millions! who would struggle on 
with the firmness and resolution of 
this youth of the frontier? 

And yet, for a mind like that pos- 
sessed by this pioneer boy, is it not rea- 
sonable to believe that the hardships, 
the sorrows and struggles, which he 
endured, and over which he serenely 
triumphed, were the essential and in- 
dispensable experiences for the expan- 
sion of his mind and body, that he 
might be the better prepared for the 
great duties which Destiny had laid 
out for him to perform? 

Sometimes, as I contemplate, always- 
with renewed interest and deeper emo- 
tion, his remarkable career, I liken 
him unto a gnarled oak upon the boU 
hill-side. 

I have watched the tempests grap- 
pling the trees of the great forest. I 
have seen the winds twisting and 
struggling with the clustering trunks, 
their branches reaching out like 
friendly arms, helping to hold and sus- 
tain one another. 

And then I have stood in awe and ad- 
miration, as I belield the lone tree — - 
the gnarled oak, assailed by all the 
mi.ghty furies of the gathering storm. 
I have seen the tempest subside, onl\" 
to renew its attack with greater power, 
wrestling with the lone giant, and 
threatening to tear it up. root and 
branch, from the mother earth. 

I have seen the trees of the forest 



lioiul and break before the storm, but 
the lone sentinel stood in serene de- 
fiance of all the elements hurled 

;ag:ainst it. 

And so it was with the heroic and 

.sturdy life of him whom we memorialize 
to-day. 

His face was furrowed with lines 

-of sorrow. As a lad of ten years he 

-stood beside the dead form of his 
devoted mother, whom he loved far 
better than his own life. 

Kig:ht years later the wounds of his 
>oarning heart were opened anew as 
he mourned over the grave of his affec- 
tionate sister. 

Tlipse early sorrows tempered his 
luart that he might hear the pleadings 

-of srief, outpoured by others, in the 
gnat years to be. 

He had listened to the story of how 
lii.s grandfather had been massacred 
li\- a savage from ambush. He lived 
amid the great forests. He learned to 
be alert for the lurking foe. These 
tilings gave him that courage which 
stood in good stead when Die trying 

• ordeals arose — when beset by enemies 

on every side. 

The Bible was the nnlx liook his 
home possessed. He read it over and 

•<^>ver again. He committed much of i(s 

^MiMtents to memory. That helped Ik 
enrich his mind, and gave him a knuwl- 

•«'.lgo Invaluable in after years. 

He secured a copy of The Pilgrims 
Progress, .Vesop's fables, a liistor.\- of 
I he riiile.l .Siale.s. ;,iid AVeem's Life 
111' Wasliiiigtdii. 

Ili^ niMile a \><un Jiiurne.v on foot to 
biHiiiw a e<ip\- of Kirkham's l-'nglisb 
H:raiMniar, which lie i)atienlly studied 
and mastered, until he was aide to 
Mi'iiU HIM 111:1 1 le:i II V eoireel. 



It must be borne in mincT, tliat. iii 
those days, laborers worked "from sun 
to sun," and so, after the close of a 
long, hard day, while others slept, this 
country lad studied on long- into the 
night, filling the wondrous store-house- 
of his hungry brain with that material: 
whicli was enriching his mind, strength- 
tuning it, and rendering it capable of 
absorbing greater knowledge. and. 
finally, to grapple with the mightiest 
problems in the crisis of all time. 

You will read romance in vain to 
find a life like this. No such vicissi- 
tudes of fortune have ever found place 
in legend or history, as the plain, unpre- 
tentious story, told in tlie life of Abra- 
ham Lincoln. 

It would be unfair to depart from 
this period without referring to his 
noble and devoted step-mother. She 
was a most estimable woman — a widow 
—whom his father had returned to 
Kentucky to marry, and he immedi- 
ately brought her, with her three chil- 
dren, to his wilderness home. Her 
coming was like the joy of sunlight 
in the drear and desolate abode of 
Abraham and his sister, who had 
anxiously awaited their father's return. 
The advent of the widow Johnston, 
as Mrs. Lincoln, in a great measure 
dispelled the gloom, and brought hap- 
piness to the entire household. A deep 
and lasting attachment sprang up be- 
tween her and young Abraham. Like 
his own mother, she encouraged him 
to pursue his studies, and often she 
was known to i)redict that, ••some day 
he would become a great and famous 
man" — a prediction which she lived to 
see abundantly fulfilled. 

In the early spring, just following 
young Abraham's 21st birthday, his 

11 



I'ailicr gatliered together his all and 
tiiigrated to Illinois, settling on the 
Vianks of the Sangamon. 

There young Lincoln, although he 
had reached his majority, remained for 
a year, helping the family witli his 
strong hands and ready heart. There 
lie split the '"historic rails" from the 
tall trees of the primeval forest. 

This was the rounding out of the 
fust period in a life that was destined 
"to become the most illustrious in the 
Western World. 



At twoiUy-two — the age when future 
leaders are about to step from college 
■doors to waiting position, furnished by 
wealth and influence, this uncouth and 
uncomely "child of the forest" must 
\-enlure alone into the great march of 
• civilization. 

Could some angel-hand liavc thrown 
aside the curtain. an<l there pictured 
him standing at tlie helm of this ma- 
jestic "SHIP OF STATE," holding her 
steady in her course, guiding her amid 
tlie breakers, bravely battling, and con- 
■ iiucring every foe, and, at last, sailing 
hei" in triumph through the troubled 
seas, what credulity could have be- 
lieved it? — and yet! he lived to see it. 

AVhile a boy iii liuliana young Lin- 
coln had madi^ a trip to New Orleans 
on a flat-boat freighted with produce. 
This ventui-i- was rep<'ati'd when he 
was twenty-two, and upon this occa- 
sion he had an experience which made 
n deep .nid lasting impression uiion 
Ills mind. 

The\- remained one month in the 
"Orosei-nt City," which gave Mr. Lin- 
<'ii1ii his lli-st npportnnit>' of seeing and 



11' 



stud^■ing• the inhumane sitle of slavery. 

He saw negroes in cliains. He saw 
them whipped and scourged. He saw 
them subjected to all the horrors and 
inliumanities which cruelty could in- 
vent. He beheld the real chains. He 
saw the black side of bondage. 

His heart rebelled, and his conscience 
was aroused to a full realization of 
what the institution meant. 

Upon one occasion they saw a 
comely and fine featured "octoroon" 
placed upon the auction block for sale 
to the highest bidder. 

Mr. Lincoln watched the nu'n as they 
gathered about and contended for the 
human prize. His heart revolted at 
the spectacle, and, as he later expressed 
himself, he "was filled with uncon- 
querable hate." 

He called his companions away and, 
with deep emotion said: "Boys! if I 
ever get a chance to hit the institution 
of slavery, I'll hit it hard!" 

One of his companions later re- 
marked: "Slavery ran the Iron into 
Aluaham Lincoln tlien and there." 

With this light before us, disclosing 
the hardships which had beset this 
young man at every step, the impress 
indelibly stamped upon his mind, show- 
ing the horrors of human slavery; and 
then as we contemplate, with a clear 
comprehension, the goal he reached, the 
glory and the granduer of his career, 
may we not reasonably ask ourselves 
these questions: 

"Was the hand of God leading him? 

AVas a Divine power guiding him? 

What influences can we conjecture 
that would have better served to mould 
and make strong the mind of this gen- 
tle, loving, country lad for the great 
and trying tasks which Destiny had 



13 



<li'criM-(l iliat lie must bear? 

AVliat agencies could have been de- 
vised by mortal mind that would havi- 
been more potent in nerving the heart 
and bi-acing the liaiid of Freedom's 
foremost advocate, whiii the supreme- 
hour should come, that lie might den i 
that thunder-bolt of justice whio!! 
was to send slavery and rebellion reel- 
ing to a common grave before tlx- 
bayonets of "THE BOYS IN BLUE." 

But let us look along the vast and 
victorious highway, over which Fate 
was to lead him. with the light of 
Truth his ever briKiit and guiding star. 

And then we will gaze towards tlu 
mountain steeps, up which he was to 
climb, his course beset by dangers on 
every side, jjitfalls everywhere, tho 
voice of rel>ellion. secession and trea- 
son ever ringing in his ears, and then 
the mo.st momentous struggle — the 
most sanguina !•>■ .struggle in all the 
mighty tide of time. 

At twenty-three he enlisted in the 
g<jvernment service to go and fight the 
Black Hawk Cliief. 

He was elected Captai)i of his Com- 
jiany, and that gave him the confidence 
of command. 

The war being soon over, he retui-ned 
to private life; but not into obscurity. 
His l)rief military e.xperienoe had 
lilaccil liiiii li.fiiri' tin- ii.d|ili> in a new 
light. 

His developed manhood was fast dis- 
closing the power of a superior mind, 
and also of remarkable inspirations. 

He had learned to speak, and iil.'^ 
words, always well ciiosen, especially 
when in the heat of dt'bate, were 
hui-led, like the arrow from its quiver, 
to hit the mark. 

At twenty-flve he was elected to the 



14 



Leg-islalure of Illinois. and there 
served, by successive re-elections, for 
•Eight years. 

This placed him upon the platform 
of debate where his persuasive logic 
was well applied, and with great effect. 

He was yet unable to buy law books, 
the study of Avhich he had alreadj-^ be- 
gun, but he borrowed from his friends, 
and rapidly developed his receptive 
mind with legal lore. 

He then served a single term in 
Congress, which introduced him into 
tine arena of National life. 

His gentleness of manner and his 
genius of mind were rapidly winning 
him a place in the field of fame; and 
yet, at the age of forty years, he be- 
trayed no premonition of the great 
destiny which awaited him. 

By many it was believed that he 
sought the legal profession only as a 
.stepping-stone to the forum, from 
whence he might strike the mighty 
blows which he kne^v, and which he 
had well understood for years, must 
be administered "with firmness for the 
right, as God Avas giving the Nation 
to see the right," or that this great 
Republic must "perish from the earth," 
and above its remains be reared only 
tlie semblance of a Government, such 
as cursed disintegrating Rome, and 
sent her down into final, and complete 
.l.-cay. 

Mr. Lincoln had faithfully studied 
the Constitution of the United States, 
anil he had fathomed the meaning of 
the Fathers. 

He thoroughly mastered the doctrine 
.if STATE SOVEREIGNTY AND STATE 
SUPREMACY as taught by John C. 
<l'alhoun. and he clearly comprehended 
thf menace of such teachings against 
:hf Nation's life. 



With equal interest he penetrated 
the treasonable lessons of "NULLIFI- 
CATION" as announced by Robert Y. 
Hayne.and launched by him with all 
the strengtli of his fiery eloquence. 

Mr. Lincoln well understood that 
those teachings were like unto sowing 
the seed which was sure to grow a 
harvest of dragons teeth. 

He saw but small hope In the "COM- 
PROMISK MEASURES" of Henry Clay; 
but he did clearly understand that the 
South was resolved to expand slave 
territory, no matter at what cost, or 
by what measures reached. 

With consternation he beheld their 
institution advancing, even as a vene- 
mous serpent, winding its coils around 
all barriers, and cru.shing all restraint. 

Tlie "MISSOURI COMPROMISE" wa.= 
made, only to be broken, and, unless 
some unseen power — some superhuman 
power — was soon to come to the rescue, 
Mr. Lincoln could see no permanent 
hope. 

With unerring vision he scanned the 
vast horizon, and he foresaw a con- 
flict ahead. 

Just four years previous to his in- 
auguration, as President, the Supreme 
Court adjudicated a case which became 
world-famous. It was known as the 
"DRED SCOTT DECISION." 

Slave owners luul inlluenced the 
withholding of this decree until their 
cliosen, and obedient representative — 
•lames Buchanan — could be seated In the 
Wliite House. 

By tills decision the North plainly 
saw that it stood face to face with a 
cold, unyielding truth — that the all- 
consuming power of slavery had at last 
reached and iiolluted the fountain of 
Fiileral .lu.stlc. I'.y this verdict. 



16 



startling in the extreme, slavery was 
at once legalized in every state of the 
Union — ^North as well as South. 

This act aroused Mr. Lincoln to his 
mightiest efforts, and it awakened his 
loftiest energies. 

He had passed his forty-ninth birth- 
day. He stood at the forefront of his 
profession in Illinois. 

He had developed the power of an 
intellectual giant. 

Like Galileo, he studied a subject 
from its every side; he carefully 
weighed "cause and effect," and, when 
he gave his decision, his reasoning 
and his logic were unanswerable. 

He once said: "The real issue in 
this country is the eternal struggle be- 
tween these two principles — right and 
wrong. They are the two principles 
that have stood face to face from the 
beginning of time, and will ever con- 
tinue to struggle." And then he ex- 
claimed : "Unless slavery is wrong:, 
nothing is wrong." 

The principle of Right was his doc- 
trine, and in that faith he went with 
firmness forward, resolved to do his 
duty. 

Against him appeared the chief ad- 
vocate of "SQUATTER SOVEREIGN- 
TY," and other measures, intended to 
calm and conciliate the South, and 
cause them to recede from their oft 
repeated threats to withdraw from the 
Union. 

This adversary was Stephen A. 
Douglas, known as "THE LITTLE 
GIANT" — a man of craft and cunning, 
and yet a man of wonderful mind and 
of resourceful argument. 

The histories of the JOINT DE- 
BATES between Lincoln and Douglas 
are immortal. They will be prized a,s 



17 



iiiHSlei'ijifces of lof^ic iind o( oratory 
as long as the names of great men livo. 

A few of the chief utterances of Mr. 
Lincoln's are imperative that we may 
tlie more clearly comprehend the 
grandeur of his debate and the genius 
of rugged brain. 

Looking far back across the 
political horizon, and tlien peering, 
with his penetrating gaze, into the 
dark and uncertain future, lie ex- 
claimed: 

"Under the operations of the policy 
of compromise, the slavery agitation 
not only has not ceased, but it has 
constantly augmented. In my opinion 
it will not cease until a CRISIS 
SHALL HAVE BEEN REACHED AND 
PASSED." "A house divided against 
it.self cannot stand. I believe this 
Government cannot endure pcrmancnt- 
\y half slave and half free." 

How i)Owerful his logic! How com- 
plete his ijroplie.syl 

"A CRISIS SHALL HAVK REEN 
REACHED AND PASSED." 

Could he see a vision througli the 
mists of hastening years? 

And was he there enabled to discern 
the deaths — the desolations — the trials, 
the travail of a fratricidal war? 

Could he see tlie gathering hosts 
marching along tlie winding ways, 
from the hill tops, tlie vall<>ys an>l the 
plains? 

And could he hear their brave Inir- 
raiis — the voices of those ready to do 
anil to die?— "WE ARE COMING. 
FATHER ARRAHAM. THREE HUND- 
RED THOUSANI> MURE!" 

• )ften he had remarkable dreams and 
vivid presontinionts. I'pon one occasion 
he saw himself i)ale and silent, aiicl tlu^ 
shades of niglil ^a I lii-riii^; ahoiil. This 



LS 



vision troubled him, and he became 
deeply depressed. Conflding in Mrs. 
Lincoln, he related to her his exper- 
ience, and how he felt. He could not 
cast this premonition aside. 

Was it the presentiment of that fate 
wliicli awaited liim? 

Could he see, amid tlie Crisis which 
he had pictured, himself the central 
figure, and around him the faithful, the 
vigilant and the bi'ave? 

And were his melancholy eyes able 
to beliold another "Calvary" — anotlier 
"Cross," liis own form bent with bur- 
den and toil, bearing it onward through 
a Gethsemane of baptismal blood to 
that liavcn beyond the tides where he 
was to meet the myriads of his own — - 
they whose choruses of victory, of 
liberty, and of uplifted liumanity are 
still heard by some of us away in the 
far distance, " as memory wafts the 
sound? 

"In the beauty of the lillies, 

Christ was born across the sea.. 

AVith a glory in His bosom 
That transfigures you me: 

As he died to make men holy. 
Let us die to make men free. 

While God is marching on." 

Fifty years liave gone since Abra- 
ham Lincoln was struggling with the 
question of human slavery, which he 
knew, and which the whole world 
knew, must be restrained. or tlii.^ 
Republic would go down into the all- 
containing sepulchre with the great 
Republics of the Eastern World. 

Witli all the earnestness and with all 
the eloquence of a master-mind — with 
all the power of his heroic soul, he 
met, and silenced, every argument 
hurled against him by Mr. Douglas. 



19 



and by all others whose weapons were 
"worthy of his steel." 

He regarded Northern soil as too 
sarred for the polluting tread of 
slavery. 

I'lxin <iiie occasion, in a flight of 
oiatoix. he oxclaimod: •'nroken by it 
I. toi>, may bo, bow to it I never will." 

■The probability thai we may fail 
in the struggle ought not to deter us 
from the support of a cause which we 
deem is just. It shall not deter me. 

"If I ever feel the soul witliin me 
elevate and expand to those dimensions 
not ■wholly unworthy its Mighty 
Architect, it is when I contemplate the 
cause of my country deserted by all the 
world besides, and I. standing up 
boldly and alone, and hurling defiance 
at her victorious oppressors. 

"Here, without contemplating conse- 
quences, before High Heaven, in the 
face of the world, I swear eternal fidel- 
ity to the just cause, as I deem it, of 
the land of my life, my liberty, and my 
lov.." 

^\■l)at nobler or more heroic word.s 
ever fell from human lips! 

As the rocket-signal soars heaven- 
ward on fiery wings, piercing the mid- 
night air, guiding the legions in bat- 
tle-array, so the utterances of Abra- 
ham IJncoln rose to heights sublime, 
and pointed the goal for Freedom's 
hosts to march througli storms and 
strife to victory. 

Rut what pathos do we see llicre 
woven witliin his mighty words wlien 
we scan tlic licM. .iiul iilloi't liow. 
undiT Ills Icadi'i-sliip. cnir Ki'public was 
saved to become the Uay-Slnr amid all 
the Nation's of the earth, while he 
fell in the lidur i>f bis iii;i lehless 
triumidi :ind iniiiiortal ri'imwii! 



SO 



The Debates drew to a close, but not 
rintil Mr. Lincoln had pilloried his 
political adversary, and removed him 
fls a possibility for election to the high- 
■cst office at the gift of a Sovereign 
People. 

Two years went by; it was 1860, 
and the greatest battle in the political 
history of the Nation was at hand. 

Mr. Lincoln had reached a lofty 
place in the powerful West. The pa- 
triotic East called for him, and antici- 
pated his coming. 

It was February the 27th, at Cooper 
Union New York. 

Of him and the occasion an observer 
•said: 

"His great stature singled him out 
from the crowd; his rugged features 
bore the furrows of hardships and 
struggle; his deep-set eyes looked sad 
and anxious. 

In repose, his countenance gave lit- 
tle evidence of that brain power which 
had raised him from the lowest to the 
highest station among his country- 
men. 

It was a great audience, including all 
the noted men, all the learned and cul- 
tured of his party in New York and 
■environs — Editors, Clergymen. States- 
men, Lawyers, Merchants, Critics. 

They were all curious to hear him. 

His fame as a powerful speaker had 
preceded liim, and exaggerated rumors 
of his Avit had reached the East. 

When Mr. Bryant presented him on 
the high platform at Cooper Institute 
&■ vast sea of eager, upturned face.? 
greeted him, full of intense curiosity 
to see what this rude child of the 
people was like. 

He was equal to the occasion. 

When he spoke he was transformed; 



21 



his eyes kindled; liis voice rang; his 
face shone and seemed to light up thd 
whole assembly. His theme was the 
CONSTITUTION. 

He spoke for one liour and thir'.y 
minutes. 

He held liis audience as in the hol- 
low of his hand. 

Tliey greeted his utterances with 
mighty cheers. 

He closed with these immortal 
words: 

"Let us not be slandered or intimi- 
dated to turn from our duty. Eternal 
right makes might. As we understan^l 
our duty, let us do it." 

The vast hall rang from pit to dome 
with tumultuous applause. The ever 
loyal East echoed, and the press re- 
sounded with congratulations. 

He met them a stranger; he left 
them crowned with the wreathings of 
fame. 

Mr. Lincoln was the logical candi- 
date to lead the new political party to 
its awaiting triumph. 

On the ISth day of May following he 
was nominated, and on the 6th day of 
November he was elected President of 
the United States. 



He had passed the last milestone In 
the second period of his career. 

He stood upon the threshhold of the 
future — a future laden with dangers 
and fraught with difficulties, such as 
never before had confronted a chosen 
magistrate. 

As the time ilriw near wlun he must 
depart to take up the reins of Govern- 
ment ho went to his old home to bid 
adieu to his devoted st ipiniit her. Of 



this parting- liistory says: ""Wlien he 
bent his tall frame down to her old and 
slirunken figure to kiss her good bye, 
slie put her arms on his shoulders, and, 
looking earnestly and tenderly In his 
eyes, she said "Abraham, you will 
never come back." 

She never saw him again. 

On the morning of February 11th, 
1861, Mr. Lincoln, witli his family, left 
for the East. 

His old-time friends and neighbors 
gathered to say good bye, and a "God- 
Speed." 

With an anxious heart Mr. Lincoln 
addressed them, and he closed with 
these words: 

"I go to assume a task more difficult 
than that which has devolved upon any 
other man since the days of Washing- 
ton. 

I hope you, my friends, will all pray 
that I may receive Divine assistance, 
without which I cannot succeed, but 
witli whicli success is certain. 

I Liid you an affectionate farewell." 

To them it was his last farewell. 

AVith dark and gloomy forebodings 
the>' journeyed towards the seat of 
Government that was to become the 
central stage of four years of trage- 
dies which were to awake and appall 
the whole civilized world. 

It was soon discovered that the most 
desperate and lawless characters of the 
South were assembling in Baltimore, 
and that they had marked Mr. Lincoln 
for assassination. 

With eyes alert he beheld the black 
clouds above; he understod the power 
and the passion of the storm gather- 
ing below. 

A gigantic sin controlled press and 



2.3 



pulpit; and the church of slavery 
looked Northward with scorn. 

A curse, all-consuming, had intoxi- 
cated their brain, and, in their frenzy, 
the Chivalry of the South demanded 
that the sword's point be dipped in the 
blood of those daring to defend "THE 
GODDE.S.S OF LIBERTY." and that the 
crimsoned steel must write the last 
decree. 

Mr. Lined] II was hurried through 
Baltimore by stealth. and safely 
guarded at the Capitol ten days in 
advance of the inauguration. 

Seven States ha<l already adopted 
ordinances of secession, and were push- 
ing their preparations for war. 

He was beset b.v tr;iitors on every 
hand; but. with a purpose bent to 
save the I'nion, In- did not waver, or 
turn aside from tlie line of his fixed 
resolve. 

March 4th, arrived, and to the pre- 
destined martyr was administered the 
oath of office amid the muttering 
thunders of a conflict almost at hand. 

His inaugural address was so com- 
pnhensive, so fair, and so assuring to 
the South, pledging tliem that their 
every right should V)e respected: while 
the Union must bo maintained; that 
it is hard to understand wiiy they per- 
sisted in their rebellious course. 

He appealed to them in the name of 
peace and justice and humanity to de- 
sist, and he closed witli iliese immorial 
words: 

"In your hands, my dissatisfied fel- 
Iciw-countrymen, and not in mine. Is 
the momentous issue of civil war. 

The Oovernment will nut assail you. 
You can have no conflict without being, 
yourselves, the aggressors. You have 
no oath registered In Heaven to de- 



24 



stroy the Government; while I shall 
have the most solemn one to preserve, 
protect and defend it. 

I am loath to close. We are not 
enemies, but friends. We must not be 
enemies. Though passion may have 
strained, it must not break our bonds 
of affection. 

The mystic cords of memory, stretch- 
ing from every battle field and patri- 
ot's grave to every living- heart and 
hearthstone all over this broad land, 
will yet swell the choruses of Union 
when again touched, as surely they 
will be, by the better angels of our 
Mature." 

This appeal, lofty though it was in 
Christian sentiment, sublime in manly 
faith, fell upon ears deaf to all reason, 
and hearts dead to the highest emo- 
tions of humanity. 

The story of Air. Lincoln during th« 
next four years is a history of the war 
itself; and with that you are familiar. 
We cannot follow its dark and dismal 
record in the enforced brevity of an 
address like this. 

The world knows its gigantic pro- 
portions, its unparalleled sacrifices, and 
its immeasurable woes. 

More than two millions of the flower 
of American manhood marched to the 
music of "Union Forever." 

Four hundred thousand were laid 
down in their last sleep, wrapped in 
the uniform of blue; while as many 
more -were wrecked in health and crip- 
pled with wounds; and over them all 
'FATHER ABRAHAM" watched and 
wept; even as loving parent watches 
weeps over his devoted child. 

In the midst of the death-struggle 
the great North wavered and hope 
grew dim; when, lo! through camp and 



25 



field, and aliuiK Iwo thousand niilt-s- 
Of battle-linos, there rolled and poured 
that mighty Anthem, which sounded 
the doom of human slavery on Free- 
dom's soil, and notified the interfering 
Nation's that victory was to be ours, 
with Union the certain goal. 
"Mine eye hath seen the glory of 

the coming of the Lord: 
lie is traniijling out the vintage whore 

the grapes of wrath are stored; 
He hath loosed the fateful lightnl'ii? 

of His terrible swift-sword: 
His truth is marching on. 
"I have read a fiery gospel, writ in 

l)urnished I'ows of steel: 
As ye deal with My contemners, 

so with >ou My grace shall deal; 
Let the Hero, hoi-n of woman, erusii 

the serpent with His heel, 
Since God is marching on." 

From the moment the feet of l-^reo- 
dom's sons were marching to the music 
of that song, their hearts throbbing to- 
Its sentiments, the world knew tliai 
God's hand was guiding the conflict: 
and that, as was said three thousand 
years ago. so again it was said: "The 
judgments of the Lord are true and 
righteous altogetlier." 

The greatest rebellion nf the ages 
had spent its force. ;>i>d again this 
great and good man. with a heart like 
the heart of the lowly Nazarcne, lookeil 
out amid the tumuU. and over the- 
graves of almost a niill'on slain. 

He saw the sliiiggle drawing to a 
close. He hoanl the Hallelujahs of a 
race redi-.ined — Hieir child-liki" voices 
rising fi'um among the smouldering 
ruins of a crusluMl and vanquished peo- 
ple, and he gave utleiances to these 
sublime words— -wonls which will en- 
iliu->' to the •nd of tiini': 



"With malice toward none, with 
charity for all, with firmness for the 
right as God gives us to see the right, 
let us strive on to finish the work we 
are in; to bind up the Nation's wounds; 
lo care for him who shall have borne 
the battle; and for his widow and 
orphan — to do all that may achieve and 
cherish a just and lasting peace among 
ourselves and with all Nations." 

'"With malice towards none!" 

How like the immortal vrords of him 
who said, "Oh, Lord! forgive them, for 
they know not what they do." 

Can human lips pronounce a eulogy 
so complete as to do him perfect rev- 
erence? The ages yet to be shall make 
reply. 

To the South he repeatedly offered 
the "olive branch." Just so often they 
rejected it with scorn. 

He presented the guarantee of the 
Constitution. They closed their eyes 
and cried "war." 

He warned them, offering them their 
last opportunity to retain their slaves. 
They .defied him, and pursued the 
struggle with renewed vengeance and 
greater fury. 

He struck the shackles from their 
bondsmen, and . he freed the souls of 
the owners, themselves. 

The hand of Divine Providence pro- 
tected him to the end that he might 
raise the Nation up to a complete ful- 
lillment of its highest and holiest 
duty before it was to receive the bap- 
tism of his own life's blood. 



Moses led his people out of the per- 
ils of the wilderness, and he went up 



27 



"fruiu tliL- ijlaiiis 111' Moiib iiiilo llio 
mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisga, 
tliat is over against Jericho." 

He beheld the "Promised Land;" but 
ho was not permitted to enter therein. 

Abraham Lincoln led the hosts of 
Uljorty tliroiigh the .storms and perils 
of war. He stood upon the .summit. 
He looked forward with joyous con- 
templation. 

As the great mountain unfolds its 
form before the breaking day; so, be- 
yond the rifting clouds, the sad eyes 
of this fur-seeing man beheld a temple 
of hope, lighted by the beacon-flames 
of Liberty, and guarded by the strong 
arm of universal law, its broad foun- 
dations laid secure and deep upon the 
graves of the Nation's dead, its proud 
structure towering upward into sub- 
limer heights where human achieve- 
ments are made glorious by the greet- 
ing of radiant skies: 

All this he saw, and more; but h« 
was not permitted to enter in. 

"And .so they buried Lincoln? Strantr* 

and A'ain! 
Has any creature thought of I..incoln 

hid 
In any vault 'neath any coffin lid. 
In all the years since that wild Spring 

of pain? 
'Tis false! He never in the grave hath 

lain: 
You could not l)ury him, altliough 

you slid 
Upon his cl:i\- tin- Cluop's pyramid. 
Or heapfd ii witli tlir Uoeky Moun- 
tain Chain. 
They slew (h.-ms.lv.-.s; tluy but sot 

Lincoln fiH'f: 
In all, the life of his great heart beat* 
strong - 



I'S 



Shall bval while pulses throb to 

chivalr\'. 
And burn with hate of tjranny and 

wrong-. 
Whoever will, may find him, any- 
where — 
Save in tlie tomb, not there — he is not 

there. * 
"Such was he, our Martyr-Chief, 

"Whom late the Nation he had led, 
With ashes on her head, 
Wept with the passion of an angry 
grief: 
He knew to bide his time. 
And can his fame abide, 
Still patient in his simple faith sub- 
lime, 
Till the wise years decide? 
Great Captains, with their guns and 

drums, 
Disturb our judgment for the hour. 

But at last silence comes: 
These all are gone, and, standing like 

a tower. 
Our children shall behold his fame. 

Tlie kindly-earnest, brave, far .-ee- 
ing man. 
Sagacious, patient, dreading praise, not 

blame. 
New birth of our new soil, the first 
American." ** 
Reluctantly we fold the leaves of 
time, and, for a season, we lay them 
tenderly away. 

Amid the transparency of the parch- 
ment itself we have looked upon the 
loving face, the kindly features, the 
firm resolution, of him who rose from 
obscurity to the heights of fame — him 

*(The author of this poem unknown 
to the speaker.) 

**(The closing lines of .Tames Russell 
I>oweirs tribute to the F'irst American.) 



-'9 



•\vlio slec-ps in tliu arms of elernilj' — 
a Xa lion's martyred son. 

We have knelt at the shrine of pa- 
ti'iutisni, and we have hold comniutiion 
Willi its loftiest spirit. 

"We have inhaled the alniosplieru of 
a glorious epoch, and we feel refreshed 
and revivified thereby. 

His immortal words — "with malice 
toward none" — uttered at the grave- 
side of war's desolation, where "Hearts 
howed Down" were mourning' for tlu-ir 
loved and lost — those word.s of for- 
giveness should abide with us all to 
the end. 

This man, of lowly .spirit, taug'ht us 
tiiat the passions of war sliould pcrisli 
in the presence of peace. 

The purity of his purpose, the power 
of his brain, and the gift of his elo- 
quent tongue inspired a moral awaken- 
ing in the great heart of the liberty- 
loving- of every land and every clime. 

And wlien the eyes of the vanquished 
no longer refused to see tlie light — 
when "the mystic cords of memory 
were touched by the better angels of 
their nature" — then they looked 
towaids the tomb of him whom they 
had reviled — him whom they had vili- 
fied, fully realizing that their best 
friend was buried in the grave of Abra- 
ham Lincoln. 

And so, rcjoieing, not mourning, we 
realize tliat from llie battle-flames of 
The holiest war Christianity ever knew, 
tlierc was lighted the beaeon-flanus 
wiiich gather and glow in the gieai 
waleh towers of time to illumine this 
lanil of a new life, a m \v lilnity and a 
new National renown. 

And so, in the bright liglil of to-day. 
we see this Hag of AVashington. and of 
Lincoln, llfl.-d ahigh by llie hand n{ 



311 



Grant, his Compatriots, and "THE 
BOYS IN BLUE," and thrown to the 
breezes, in victory, at Appomattox, 
This flaR, now radiant with six and 
forty stars, waving in triumph above 
tlie bravest ships that ever furrowed 
the tractless deep, carrying the glad 
message of "PEACE ON EARTH AND 
GOOD WILL" to every land along the 
pathway of the sun. 

Already the tidings of their return 
are heralded to our shores, as the 
bugle-notes, borne on by the lifted 
billows, mingling their music with the 
murmur of the seas, bring to our ears 
the joyous chimes of "Home Sweet 
Home" — Home to this free - land, 
made secure by the faith of him whose 
name lingers on our lips — Home to 
these Altars and these Fanes, made 
sacred by the blood and fortitude of 
those who rallied around him when 
duty called. 

My Veteran Comrades, in closing, let 
us reflect for a moment upon the beau- 
tiful and inspiring scenes which grace 
and glorify our land from ocean to 
ocean, from frozen lakes to Southern, 
sun-kissed seas. 

Instead of the bugle-call to arms, the 
rolling drums ,the ranked lines, the 
gleaming bayonets, and the battling 
foe, we behold these symbols of purity 
and peace, these emblems of courage, of 
consecration, and of duties fully done. 

Our hearts melt, and our eyes over- 
flow, as old visions rise up — as memory 
clasps hands with hope and contem- 
plation. 

And there are none more competent 
than you, my beloved Comrades — you 
A\ho "fought the fight and kept the 
faith," to say, all the glory and all 
the grandeur of this Republic could 



ai 



not have been, had not a Divine Power 
prepared, and a Divine Ha ml led to 
the tlirone of final triumpli. and lo 
the Fanes of immoralty, an Alualiani 
.^incoln. 

As love's tribute, let us entwine 
around his memory tliis ballad wreath 
of our devotion. 

The Pantheon of heroes holds thy 
treasured name; 
Engraven fair upon the scroll i>f 
fame ; 
Thou HEART OF HOPE, thy words — 
they won our loftj' cheers; 
Thy nn'in'ry 'bides, and will 
throug:hout the years; 
The wisdom of thy wondrous brain, 
thy soul sublime — 
These — all have brightened with 
the years of time; 
And, while the centuries shall speed 
their onward way, 
Tlic light of thy great lovi' shall 
greet each glorious day. 



W60 






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